Reports Highlight Sexual Violence and Systemic Challenges in Australian Sport

A series of reports and individual accounts have highlighted the prevalence of sexual violence in Australia, alongside systemic challenges related to inclusion, governance, and support for women and disabled athletes in community and elite sport.

Sexual Violence: Prevalence and Systemic Responses

Recent data and survivor accounts illustrate the scope of sexual violence in Australia and challenges within support and justice systems.

• The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2022 Personal Safety Survey estimated 2.8 million people aged 18 and older had experienced sexual violence since age 15.
• The 2023 Child Maltreatment Study estimated approximately 28.5% of Australians experienced sexual abuse before age 18.
• ABS data estimates 89,400 people aged 18 and over experienced sexual assault in Australia in 2024-2025.

Survivor-advocates have shared their experiences. Keelie McMahon disclosed childhood sexual abuse by James Geoffrey Griffin, who died before facing trial. An internal review found Tasmania Police received information about potential child abuse by Griffin in 2009, 2011, 2013, and 2015. Ayla Williams reported being raped in 2020; the perpetrator pleaded guilty and was sentenced in 2023.

McMahon stated the disclosure process was "surreal" and that abuse "completely rewrites the course of a child's life."

Williams described a three-year legal process, stating some interactions made her feel "reduced and minimised" and that "truth, law and justice can exist on completely different tracks."

Systemic issues have been identified in multiple reports:

• The Australian Law Reform Commission's 2023 inquiry found nine out of ten women do not report sexual violence to police and that the justice system can be "re-traumatising."
• Nicole Lambert, chair of the National Association of Services Against Sexual Violence (NASASV), stated services are "buckling under the weight of demand" and have seen no significant funding increase in decades.
• In March, the federal government announced a $291.7 million funding boost for frontline family, domestic, and sexual violence workforces.

Challenges in Community Sport Governance and Culture

Several incidents in Victorian community football have raised questions about governance, inclusion, and club culture.

Kyneton Wedge-Tailed Eagles League Entry Dispute

The Kyneton Wedge-Tailed Eagles, a women's football club formed after separating from the Kyneton Football Netball Club (KFNC), faced a prolonged dispute to join a competition.

• The club was rejected by three competitions for the 2025 season.
• The Central Victorian Football League (CVFL) unanimously approved the club for the 2026 season, but AFL Victoria blocked this entry following an appeal by the Riddell District Football League (RDFNL).
• AFL Victoria's appeal board cited factors including club sustainability, impact on participation pathways at other clubs, and facility provisions.
• The club has since been approved to play in the CVFL under its new name, concluding the year-long dispute.

During the dispute, RDFNL president Brenton Knott was alleged to have made comments in a leaked message describing the club's application as being about "grooming and gender weirdness." KWFC reported the alleged message to the AFL integrity unit. Knott has reportedly denied these specific comments.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan expressed hope that the rejection would not deter young female footballers, stating women should be able to participate equally in sport.

Box Hill North Football Club Costume Incident

At Box Hill North Football Club (BHNFC), women's senior captain Genna Krienke resigned after photos of the men's senior leadership team in inappropriate costumes circulated online.

• One photo depicted the men's captain dressed as a schoolgirl, which Krienke identified as mimicking an individual making sexual assault allegations.
• Another photo showed the deputy vice-captain in blackface with a large penis attached.
• Krienke reported the first photo in August 2025 and stated the club's response was delayed, with action only committed to in January 2026 after media inquiries.

BHNFC released a statement apologizing for "any offence caused," condemning the behavior, and stating it had escalated the matter to its governing body. The club committed to strengthening education and its code of conduct.

Research on Participation, Inequity, and Retention

Research indicates growing participation by women and girls in sport is accompanied by significant retention challenges.

• A report by Federation University and Victoria University, based on 15 interviews, found retention rates for women and girls are significantly lower than for men and boys.
• Professor Rochelle Eime, a report author, noted many clubs struggle to adapt to women and girls as integral parts of their environment, with male teams often prioritized for resources.
• The "Change Our Game State of Play" survey (July 2023, 670 respondents) found 28% of women in community sport had considered leaving due to inequitable treatment, over half reported experiencing gendered discrimination, and 55% witnessed or experienced sexist language.

Reported inequities include:

• Uneven allocation of training space, with women's teams sometimes receiving less than half of an oval.
• Difficulties getting concerns addressed regarding fixture scheduling, match timing, and access to trainers.
• A lack of facilities like private changing rooms or sanitary bins.

Athlete Accounts of Harassment and Reporting Failures

Athletes have detailed experiences of sexual harassment and abuse, alongside systemic failures in reporting processes.

• Kareema Wakim, a moguls skier, reported sexual harassment by an older male teammate and stated the reporting process could have been more formal.
• Accounts shared via the ABC's Elite Athletes survey included a swimmer reporting years of harassment with her coach denying the incidents, and an athlete reporting rape by a national team coach, alleging a cover-up by the sporting organization.
• Lilee Lunee, a national-level rowing cox, observed "out of control" sexual harassment from male coaches and noted a reluctance to report due to perceived lack of action.

Research from La Trobe University, the University of Sydney, and Victoria University, based on interviews with 27 individuals, identified themes including unclear policies, reports leading to no action or dismissal, and complaints not being believed.

• Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) oversees matters like anti-doping and child safeguarding, but its remit does not specifically cover gender-based violence for individuals over 18.
• Dr. Kirsty Forsdike identified issues including policies that prioritize organizational protection and untrained responders.
• SIA Director of Safeguarding Lisa Purves stated addressing gendered violence requires cultural change within sports.

Systemic Barriers for Disabled Women in Elite Sport

Disabled women in elite sport face specific systemic barriers and inadequate support, according to athlete accounts and survey data.

• Over half of respondents to the ABC Elite Athletes survey reported discrimination due to impairment.
• Only 19% of disabled Australian women regularly participate in sport.

Former Paralympian Hannah MacDougall cited burnout from inappropriate training regimes and a "double whammy" of discrimination as a female athlete with an impairment. She noted a lack of scientific backing for training female athletes with disabilities.

Challenges reported include:

• A lack of understanding from National Sporting Organisations regarding the increased energy expenditure required by athletes with physical disabilities.
• Difficulties managing ongoing women's health issues, such as chronic illness and menstruation, with limited research on the latter's impact on disabled athletes.
• Eight-time Paralympian Danni Di Toro advocates for greater athlete autonomy in choosing medical practitioners, noting an able-bodied model is often superimposed onto disabled sporting environments.
• Survey respondents reported difficulty finding and funding suitable medical teams and cited negative experiences with support staff.